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cnbc.com
Trump-Xi summit puts AI safety talks on the table but neither side wants to slow down
Recent weeks have seen AI safety fears reach new heights. That will be a key focus for the U.S. and Chinese leaders, analysts told CNBC.
cnbc.com
Treasury yields little changed as oil price oscillates
Yields on U.S. Treasurys held steady early Wednesday, as oil prices were volatile.
cnbc.com
McDonald's will spend big on restaurant upgrades, training to drive growth
The plans are part of the fast-food giant's new growth strategy, called McDonald's > NEXT.
cnbc.com
Royal Caribbean agrees to take 50% equity stake in Sandals for $3 billion
Royal Caribbean has been trying to diversify beyond cruises and become a leader overall in vacations.
theguardian.com
UK watchdog investigating Pornhub over concerns it can still be accessed by children
Ofcom says site’s age-checking regime may not be ‘highly effective’, as required by the Online Safety ActOne of the world’s most visited pornography websites is being investigated by the UK’s communications watchdog over concerns it can still be accessed by children.Pornhub’s age checking regime may not be “highly effective”, according to Ofcom, and could be in breach of online safety laws requiring strict measures to prevent under-18s from accessing sexually explicit content. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Iran says Trump’s threats a sign of ‘strategic desperation,’ floats conditions for Hormuz reopening
Tehran's proposal could pave the way for restoring traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, reviving fragile hopes for a diplomatic off-ramp.
theguardian.com
Legal & General to cut 1,000 jobs by mid-2027
Programme will initially involve voluntary redundancies in the UK but the insurance and pensions firm will consider mandatory job cuts depending on the take-upLegal & General plans to cut 1,000 jobs by the middle of next year, about a tenth of the British insurance and pensions firm’s workforce.António Simões, the chief executive, is wielding the axe as part of his attempts to create a “leaner organisation” since taking over from longtime CEO Nigel Wilson in January 2024. L&G described the move as “the next stage of that transformation”. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump administration is examining whether a diesel export ban is feasible, Treasury secretary says
Republican lawmakers have called for an export ban as high diesel prices hit farmers and truckers ahead of the November midterm elections.
cnbc.com
Zelenskyy says Ukraine ready for ‘energy ceasefire,’ calls for trilateral meeting with Putin, Trump
Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready for an “energy ceasefire” with Russia, provided Moscow stops attacks on critical infrastructure.
theguardian.com
UK economic outlook brighter as new government measures will boost growth, says OECD – business live
Oil prices fall for a sixth day in their longest losing streak in over a year, as Saudi Arabia reportedly restarts its east-west pipeline and amid hopes for progress in US-Iran talksThe Co-op has called on Andy Burnham’s government to “create an environment where we have confidence and certainty to invest” which it needs to support “lifeline stores” in urban and rural communities across the UK.Kate Allum, the interim chief executive of the mutual who stepped in after the unexpected departure of Shirine Khoury-Haq last year, said:We have no intention of closing any lifeline stores.We have a big estate and we want to continue to invest but what we need is confidence. We don’t want unintended consequences of decisions.consumer confidence is pretty uncertain. We talk to our members all the time and the cost of living has been their number one concern for a significant period of time. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Indian billionaire’s payments firm plots biggest London flotation in years
Sunil Bharti Mittal’s Airtel Money targets $9bn IPO in boost for ailing UK stock marketA payments business that operates across Africa and is ultimately controlled by an Indian billionaire has announced its intention to float on the struggling London Stock Exchange.Airtel Money, the mobile money arm of Airtel Africa, is planning one of the biggest UK listings in years, in a boost for the shrinking London market that has faced a string of recent departures. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Slip sliding away: football season-ticket holders fear falling down pecking order
It is a symbol of the connection between the fanbase and club, but there is a growing fear executives would prefer stadiums full of one-off touristsThe document known as “the oldest football season ticket in the world” promises its bearer access to every Burnley home game of the 1884-85 season. It is a ticket that predates the Football League by four years, with all the fixtures played against east Lancashire neighbours. All the same, the legend on the ticket carries a stern warning: “This card is not transferable. Any member violating this rule will be at once expelled from the club.”For Burnley 1884 read Manchester United 2026. While the oldest remaining season ticket is safely preserved at Turf Moor, at Old Trafford 685 season tickets were voided this summer after a club investigation found evidence of their having been resold on the secondary market. United said such practices “undermine fair access to tickets for genuine supporters and have no place at Manchester United”. United fan groups again protested against the actions of the club’s ownership, claiming: “The way you treat us is a disgrace.” Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
UK warned over ballooning debt costs and slower growth ahead of Budget
Higher energy prices due to the conflict in the Middle East and climate change could hit growth.
bbc.co.uk
Concerns county will not benefit from £2 bus cap
Councillor Justine Peberdy says Yeomans Travel and Sargeants Brothers have not committed to the cap.
bbc.co.uk
Off sick? You need to phone your boss, back-to-work adviser says
Relying on text and email means sick workers disengaged and were less likely to work again, says Sir Charlie Mayfield.
theguardian.com
Disney+ criticised for advert break during Women’s Champions League game
Arsenal match was interrupted during the second halfBreak understood to be have been unintendedDisney+ has been criticised by viewers after an advert break interrupted the second half of Tuesday’s live television coverage of Arsenal’s opening Women’s Champions League fixture.Fans were unable to see the action for about three minutes, with some 15 minutes remaining, during Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over the Danish side HB Køge. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The climate fight has one great ally. You just can’t look at it directly | Bill McKibben
There is hope in solar power. As the UN meets, we are urging leaders to pursue a clear goal: clean energy for all by 2030Our message to global leaders: we need solar power everywhere by the decade’s endAs climate experts from around the world gather in New York for their annual week of talking through the world’s deepest dilemma, the vibes are mostly bad.Though 2026 seems likely to set a new global temperature record (and 2027, as El Niño gathers steam, is almost certain to break it), and though the planet has careened from one climate disaster to another (European heatwaves that killed tens of thousands, a Nepali flood that wiped out entire communities), and though scientists warn that we’re reaching precisely the global tipping points they’ve long feared (the new research on the faltering great currents of the Atlantic should send a literal chill up your spine), there’s a distinct lack of political momentum.The path forward is difficult, but the way is clear. We want solar for everyone, everywhere, before the decade is out.We know that standing up to the powerful can be scary. But if there is one thing that unites us, it is that we live beneath the same sun. That unity is our strength, and we must use it to act now.Bill McKibben is the Schumann distinguished scholar at Middlebury College. He is the founder of Third Act, organizing people over 60 for progressive change Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Our message to global leaders: we need solar power everywhere by the decade’s end | Open letter
As the UN gathers, signatories from Bernie Sanders to Yeb Saño issue an open letter calling for clean power for allThe climate fight has one great ally. You just can’t look at it directly We the undersigned write this letter out of great fear and great hope.Over the last few months, we’ve seen the world set ablaze by both war and warming. From the conflict in Iran, which has claimed thousands of lives and disrupted billions more, to the series of ever worsening climate disasters, from wildfires in Europe to collapsing glaciers in Nepal, the world seems to be falling apart exactly when it needs to be coming together. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Oil prices mixed after U.S. and Iran talk for hours at UN meeting
Oil prices were mixed Wednesday, amid hopes of a diplomatic solution to the conflict in the Middle East after Iran and the U.S. had talks.
cnbc.com
AI drone maker hits $6.4 billion valuation as Ukraine war spurs defense tech
Tekever is one of a number of European defense tech startups raising sizable rounds amid a rearmament campaign from countries in the region.
cnbc.com
South Korea pushes for Trump summit with renegade North Korea, seeing opportunity for peace
South Korea pushes for Trump summit with renegade North Korea, seeing opportunity for peace
cnbc.com
Trump-Xi meeting: Why China's self-sufficiency changes the calculus
Persistent growth of Chinese exports to the U.S. is helping the world's second-largest economy ride out ongoing domestic challenges.
cnbc.com
AI is killing the grunt work, forcing companies to rethink entry-level hiring
AI is becoming increasingly adept at tasks usually given to junior employees. Some fear the impact it might have on entry-level hiring.
bbc.co.uk
UK and US warned to take action on spiralling debt costs by IMF
In an interview with the BBC, Kristalina Georgieva says economic shocks had pushed "debt levels up like a staircase not to heaven".
theguardian.com
New UK agency to fight ‘information warfare’ from likes of Russia, Burnham tells UN
PM aims to ‘stem poisonous tide’ of disinformation and deepfakes with National Centre for Information DefenceSecurity chiefs will set up a new national centre to tackle disinformation and deepfakes from hostile states such as Russia, Andy Burnham has announced, saying the government had a duty to “stem the poisonous tide” from damaging British interests.The National Centre for Information Defence will “detect, attribute and disrupt” information attacks by foreign powers, many of which are enabled by AI, bringing together the intelligence agencies, law enforcement and social media companies. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Fed's Collins warns inflation could be 'notably' higher after backing rate hike
There is "an increased likelihood" of inflation staying "notably" above the Federal Reserve's 2% target, Boston Federal Reserve President Susan Collins said.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Nothing artificial about 'Super Intelligence'
President Donald Trump seeks to rebrand AI ahead of his meeting with China's Xi Jinping, while rejecting a "globalist scheme" to regulate the technology.
theguardian.com
London buses in decline? Why public transport in global cities is slowing to a crawl – visualised
As experts fear for future of UK capital’s bus network, some commuters are giving up entirely. London is not alone – with worrying implications for the poorest in societyExperts warn that slower buses risk driving passengers away: research cited by Transport for London (TfL) suggests a 10% fall in speed leads to a 6% drop in demand.Passenger journeys in London have already fallen by more than 300m a year, or 16%, since 2013, despite the city’s population growing by almost a million people. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Mum’s Alzheimer’s has trapped the kids’ NatWest cash
A First Saver account was set up by my mother when the children were born which we planned to use to fund them through universityMy mother set up NatWest First Saver accounts for my children when they were born. The accounts are held in trust for when they turn 18 and my parents have paid into them monthly to help fund them through university.My mother is now in the final stages of Alzheimer’s and I have registered financial power of attorney for her. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
DOJ defends Trump ban of 3 news outlets, says White House access is a 'privilege — not a right'
The Department of Justice also argued President Trump was motivated by national security concerns in banning MS NOW, CNN and Politico from the White House.
theguardian.com
Burnham navigates diplomatic rapids in first Trump meeting, but turbulent waters lie ahead
British aides express relief, as the prime minister’s team say the meeting was at the ‘top end of their expectations’On the flight out to New York this week, one of Andy Burnham’s senior aides warned him that meeting Donald Trump would be the political equivalent of white water rafting.While there is a well-known playbook the US president deploys when he first meets other world leaders, he remains a deeply unpredictable figure and any dealings with him can leave you crashing into the rocks. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Qantas announces 18-hour direct flights from Sydney to New York with onboard ‘wellbeing zones’
Due to take off in 2028, it is set to be the national carrier’s second ultra long-haul route after Sydney to LondonFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastQantas says travellers will be able to fly between Sydney and New York in just 18 hours from mid-2028 when the airline launches its second ultra long-haul route, cutting at least three hours from the travel time.The route will be the second in Qantas’ Project Sunrise expansion plans, with new Sydney to London direct flights planned for October 2027, after some delays. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
How much do you spend on a birthday present?
Do you show you care through expensive presents? Or do you consider a drink in a pub a worthy birthday gift?
theguardian.com
Critics of UK government’s economic forecaster are ‘shooting the messenger’, say MPs
Treasury committee rejects calls for fundamental reform of independent watchdog the Office for Budget ResponsibilityAttacks on the government’s independent economic forecaster from left and right of the political spectrum are akin to “shooting the messenger”, according to an influential group of MPs.The Treasury committee rejected “siren calls to fundamentally reform” the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and said it should not be blamed when policymakers had to make tough decisions because of tight public finances. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Thinktank linked to Reform UK calls for abolition of state pension
‘Radical’ report likely to influence party’s platform also proposes abolishing inheritance and capital gains taxesA thinktank linked to Reform UK has called for the abolition of the state pension and £75bn worth of sweeping tax cuts in a “radical” report likely to influence the party’s platform for the next election.The Centre for a Better Britain’s (CFABB) report – which also calls for weaker rules for UK banks and Trump-style investment accounts offering £1,000 to newborns – will be formally launched at a private event with City executives on Wednesday. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Europe frets about Trump. But soon he could be the least of our problems | Mujtaba Rahman
The US relationship is stabilising, but how will Europe face up to Russia and China if President Le Pen is in power?I addressed a group of more than 100 European ambassadors recently on the big challenges facing the continent this year and next. My main point to these senior diplomats was that, perhaps counterintuitively, Europe’s biggest external challenges over the next 12 months will come from Russia and China, rather than the US.Europe’s relationship with Trump’s America remains difficult. The US president has weakened confidence in Nato, raised new transatlantic trade tensions and introduced uncertainty into everything from US support for Ukraine to his territorial designs on Greenland. Yet paradoxically, and notwithstanding Trump’s latest tariff threats over the EU’s outreach to Canada, the transatlantic relationship is becoming the more stable part of Europe’s external environment. Not stable, but more stable.Mujtaba Rahman is the managing director for Europe at Eurasia Group, a political risk research and consulting firm Continue reading...
theguardian.com
As Japan swelters, farmers turn to new heat-resistant rice varieties to boost staple crop
New rice varieties give hope that farmers can overcome the climate emergency and a warmer future that threatens harvestsWhen schoolchildren in Shiroishi were enlisted to plant rice seedlings in June, Shinto priests blessed the land and asked the deities for a bountiful crop. Judging by the fields behind farmer Haruki Kawasaki, their prayers have been answered.The 63-year-old is preparing to harvest this year’s crop of hinatamaru, a variety of rice whose plump grains have thrived despite exposure to another hot and dry summer, conditions that typically punish rice yields. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Trump wants AI to be rebranded as super intelligence. Will it work?
Some people close to the president have started to use the term but experts say it is unlikely to catch on.
cnbc.com
In photos: Key takeaways from day one of the UN General Assembly
World leaders descended on New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly, where the agenda covers topics from wars to the risks posed by AI.
cnbc.com
South Korean solar stocks jump as curbs on Chinese sector expected to remain in place
South Korean solar stocks jumped as U.S. restrictions on Chinese solar products came into focus ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.
theguardian.com
AI looms large over Trump-Xi meeting amid deep distrust between US and China
Fears persist about Trump ‘sucking up’ to Xi on Taiwan, but few concrete outcomes anticipated from US meetingWhen Xi Jinping, China’s leader, touches down in Maryland on Wednesday, he will step out into the arms – perhaps a hug, if Donald Trump’s wishes come true – of a US president who has shown China more bonhomie than any of his recent predecessors.The meeting between Xi and Trump this week will be the second time that the leaders of the world’s two biggest economies have talked face to face this year. At the previous summit, held in Beijing in May, there was much talk of building a “strategic stability” between the two powers. But there was little by way of concrete outcomes: the countries remain at loggerheads over trade, export controls and geopolitics. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: 'America First' doesn't mean 'America alone'
America may be putting itself first, but it also needs partners if it wants to meet its goals.
theguardian.com
Cuban delegation walks out as Trump calls country a 'failed state' at the United Nations – video
Cuban delegates left the room during the US president's speech to the UN general assembly, where he called Cuba 'a failed state' and said the country 'will fall'. The US has maintained a trade embargo on Cuba for more than 60 years, and Trump's administration has stepped up pressure on the communist-controlled island nation. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
'I don't have a buoyancy aid': Living without the Bank of Mum and Dad
Three 20-somethings tell BBC News how they are navigating life without parental support.
bbc.co.uk
Europe's car makers are in crisis. Will the threat of war rescue them?
Auto executives across Europe hope rearmament can help them flex their industrial muscles once more.
bbc.co.uk
Will a switch to light speed cut power use at data centres?
To save power and add capacity, data centres are switching from copper wires to tech using light.
theguardian.com
Pay rent, eat or keep warm? Growing numbers face hard choices as housing benefit gap grows
Wirral mother among renters turning to food banks as gap between a two-bed and housing benefit hits £158 a month – rising to as much as £324 in LondonDo you prioritise paying the rent, putting food on the table or keeping the house warm in winter? In practice, says Laura Braddock, a single mum from Wirral, Merseyside, you always pay the rent first and improvise the rest. “If I’ve got a roof over our head, then everything else I can muddle through.”The pressing problem for Braddock, 39, is that muddling through is getting harder. The monthly rent for her two-bedroom flat far outstrips the local housing allowance (LHA) she receives – and the gap may widen. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Qantas to start selling tickets next year for its New York to Sydney nonstop flight
Qantas plans to start selling tickets for its first New York to Sydney nonstop flight.
cnbc.com
Trump discloses more than 1,100 July trades, including up to $25 million each in sales of Microsoft, Amazon
Trump sold tech stocks including Amazon and Microsoft when the Mag 7 stocks popped on July 20, adding $291 billion in market value in one day.
theguardian.com
Trump invades the UN with a brutish speech | Ted Widmer
Gone was any shred of US idealism. It was a spectacle of raw power – a power that is likely to only diminish in the years aheadExpectations were low for Donald Trump’s address to the UN on Tuesday, and yet somehow it was even worse than expected. He does not perform well in formal settings, like chambers of government, preferring a blingier room, like Mar-a-Lago, or an outdoor rally. For years, he has made no secret of his hostility to the UN, and the very principles of international order that define it.In recent years, that hostility has deepened into something more like a full-on assault, with frequent attacks on the international criminal court (perhaps out of fear that he will someday be indicted), on the UN’s climate agenda, and on Unesco (which the US decided to withdraw from in July 2025). Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
New EU industry rules would damage UK, warns Burnham
The prime minister met the European Commission President during his visit to the United Nations General Assembly.
cnbc.com
Qualcomm releases Android chip built for AI as memory shortage weighs on smartphone market
The overall smartphone market is expected to contract 14% in terms of units shipped in 2026.
bbc.co.uk
Trump says he would back ban on diesel exports
Republicans lawmakers have put pressure on the president to curb exports as diesel prices soar to record highs in the US.
bbc.co.uk
Business Daily
Jacob Rothman built a manufacturing business in China supplying major retailers
theguardian.com
Guardian political editor asks Trump about Iran war economic consequences – video
Guardian political editor Pippa Crerar asked Donald Trump if he had any sympathy for allied countries suffering from the devastating economic consequences of his war in Iran. The US president said he was confident prices would be lower after the war and that talks were under wayUS politics live Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Anthropic and OpenAI roll out cheaper models in first release since call for slowdown
OpenAI introduced GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna. Anthropic unveiled Claude Opus 5.5.
theguardian.com
Why the civil war in Yemen has world governments on edge
Houthi militants have made a lightning advance along the Red Sea coast, capturing strategically important territory in Yemen.Hundreds of civilians have been killed and more than 100,000 people have been forced to flee their homes.The Guardian's Oliver Holmes explains why this conflict has world governments on edge Continue reading...
theguardian.com
DoorDash to pay $131.5m after underpaying New York workers
Company to award backpay to 264,000 workers as mayor Zohran Mamdani condemns use of ‘greedy algorithms’DoorDash said it would pay $131.5m to settle a New York City government investigation that found the food delivery company underpaid or waited too long to pay workers.Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the settlement the city’s largest labor enforcement action. It advances the city’s longstanding effort to hold food delivery companies to a 2023 law intended to improve pay for delivery workers. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump slams Iran and Cuba, defends AI growth in boastful UN speech
The U.S. "will no longer permit threats to America to gain a foothold anywhere in the Western Hemisphere," Trump told the UN leaders.
cnbc.com
U.S. strikes Greenland deal at UN to expand military presence at Arctic outposts
Trump said the agreement with Greenland and Denmark would give the U.S. "permanent control over security" in the Danish island territory.
cnbc.com
Peloton is revamping its treadmills with new features in the next phase of its turnaround
With its new treadmills, Peloton aims to appeal to customers from casual workers to more serious athletes.
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on Keynes in the West End: James Graham’s latest play captures the zeitgeist | Editorial
As the chancellor, John Healey, ponders options ahead of his first budget, the playwright’s new work offers lessons from the pastStill only 44, James Graham has become a formidable chronicler of our national story. On themes such as the rise of Rupert Murdoch, social upheaval in post-industrial Britain and the neuroses of the England men’s football team, the playwright and screenwriter has made it his vocation to read the signs of our times and write them up for the stage.Graham’s new play goes a bit further back in history, but its subject matter is characteristically of the moment. Opening this week in the West End, The Standard of Living offers a portrait of the sentimental and intellectual passions of John Maynard Keynes (played by Rory Kinnear), as the great economist makes his name between the first and second world wars. As Keynes rails against the laissez-faire ethos of the age, he seeks to devise a theory of growth that justifies state intervention on people’s behalf in the wake of the Great Depression.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Worse than the scramble for Oasis tickets’: England’s sustainable farming funds run out in just six hours
Entire £253m budget for 2026 allocated in less than a day, leaving thousands of farmers disappointedThousands of farmers have been left empty-handed with the government’s 2026 nature funding spent in just six hours.The £253m sustainable farming incentive (SFI) scheme opened for applications from farmers at 10am on Tuesday.This article was corrected on 23 Sept 2026: an earlier version said the budget was £233m, but in fact it was for £253m, after Defra allocated an additional £20m. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Davey promises tax cuts for millions if UK rejoins EU single market
The Lib Dem leader vows to raise tax thresholds if he becomes PM, in a speech to his party conference.
bbc.co.uk
'We screwed up': Doordash admits underpaying New York workers
The food delivery giant will pay a $131.5m settlement following a city probe into wage violations.
theguardian.com
Jim Ratcliffe halts production at Hull chemical plants over ‘ridiculous’ gas prices
Billionaire owner of Ineos says company ‘cannot compete’ with global market despite efficiency of Humberside sitesBillionaire industrialist Sir Jim Ratcliffe is pausing production at three chemical plants in Hull, blaming the UK’s “ridiculously high” gas prices.Ratcliffe’s chemicals conglomerate, Ineos, said on Tuesday it would “mothball” three chemical plants because the cost made it difficult to compete in the global market. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
'You shouldn't be here,' Donald Trump tells CNN at UN general assembly – video
The US president remarked on CNN's presence at the UN general assembly on Tuesday, telling reporters he was 'surprised' the news network was covering him and that it 'shouldn't be here' after he banned the outlet along with MS Now and Politico from the White House last weekUS politics liveUS TV networks suspend White House pool coverage over Trump media ban Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Sir Jim Ratcliffe suspends production at key UK plants blaming high gas prices
Ineos said natural gas in the UK is twelve times more expensive than in the US.
theguardian.com
‘How do you get a result without contacting a newspaper?’: your questions for our consumer champion answered
In her weekly column for the Guardian, Anna Tims solves readers consumer problems – ranging from the devastating to the ridiculous. She answered your questions on AI chat bots, consumer protection and how companies keep getting away with terrible customer serviceTLouis1990 asks: What are your tips for getting the best out of customer service? Are there mistakes we all make that make issues worse?Anna: I like your question; too often we focus on what customer service agents owe us rather than vice versa. Remain calm and polite is my top tip. That’s not always easy, especially when you feel you are being messed about, but it’s essential. Temper and rudeness is not only unfair on call centre staff, it can backfire on you. Companies may refuse to deal with abusive customers. Occasionally, when I’ve contacted a press office about a reader’s complaint, I’ve been so horrified by transcripts of their treatment of agents that I’ve dropped the case.When you complain, include all relevant information such as booking references, your address, screenshots of relevant bills or letters to save to-ing and fro-ing. You basically want to ensure that they can identify you quickly on their system and that they have evidence of the problem. If you’re phoning, have all that information at your side. Make a note of who you spoke to and when in case you have to follow up. And be reasonable in terms of timescales and redress. Demands for £500 in compensation when you report a burned Deliveroo may stop you being taken seriously.Anna: Thank you for your thank you! If you mean companies I’ve dealt with professionally, there was a now defunct utilities company who offered a reader a spa day to help her recover from the stress its blunderings had caused her. Bagcraft, a luggage store in Essex is a stand-out. A customer had ordered two suitcases for a New Year’s holiday. One of them arrived from the manufacturer with a fault. The store owner reordered it and, worried that it would not reach the customer in time, set off the day after Boxing Day on a 820 mile round trip to deliver the cases in person.Readers often write in to praise Le Creuset for its no-quibble lifetime guarantee which has resurrected the most ancient of steelware. And speaking as a customer, I was amazed when the online plant supplier Primrose informed me that part of my order was unavailable, sent a generous voucher unbidden as an apology and answered my subsequent questions about suitable alternative plants with prompt, personalised responses. And no, they didn’t know I was a journalist! Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Iran reportedly says it can reopen Strait of Hormuz within 7 days if U.S. eases military pressure
The reports raised hopes of renewed U.S.-Iran diplomacy, with U.S. stock futures mixed and oil prices lower.
cnbc.com
Novo defends diversification push as CEO eyes deals beyond obesity
Novo CEO Mike Doustdar told CNBC that it is considering M&A opportunities as it faces growing competition in the weight-loss market.
theguardian.com
Fancy a pint … at Lidl? The bizarre battle over Northern Ireland’s stifled nightlife
The country’s licensing laws mean the supermarket has opened a pub so it can sell alcohol, while campaigners are fighting to help other venues open and get people dancingAt first sight The Middle Ale in Dundonald, Northern Ireland looks just like any other pub. There is a big TV, an array of seating, and beer pumps behind the bar. Look a little closer, however, and you might ask why there are packets of fajitas and gravy granules on the walls.That’s because the pub belongs to the supermarket chain Lidl, but the Middle Ale (like “middle aisle”, get it?) isn’t just a wacky marketing stunt. Northern Ireland has ultra-strict laws around licences to sell alcohol, whether as a shop, pub or nightclub. Lidl tried to get a licence to sell alcohol in its Dundonald store, and was refused, but after a court battle it did manage to get a licence for a pub – which it duly opened next door, selling alcohol to take away as well as serving drinks in the pub itself. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Paramount settles lawsuit with US states, clearing way for $110bn merger with Warner Bros
The deal includes an agreement to produce 30 films a year, or Paramount will be forced to sell off parts of its company.
bbc.co.uk
Are vet bills about to get cheaper?
Written prescription fees from vets will be capped at £21 as part of a raft of changes that practices will be legally required to bring in over the coming months.
theguardian.com
AI is generating a new wave of US populism. It could be a tipping point | Robert Reich
It’s becoming obvious to many Americans that corporations have been raking it in while workers take it on the chinLast week, the unlikely duo of Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon spoke before a Washington group demanding a stop to AI and its datacenters.Notably, both lambasted the corporate oligarchs behind AI. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Spain battles climate change on several fronts
A summer of wildfires and heatwaves underlines the threats to the country's economy.
bbc.co.uk
Unexpected UK borrowing surge adds to pre-Budget pressure on chancellor
Borrowing was higher than expected in August as inflation piles pressure on the government ahead of the Budget.
cnbc.com
Soccer superstar Kylian Mbappé on ending 20-year journey with Nike: 'It was time to change'
Soccer Champion Kylian Mbappé said he was ready for "change" after ending his association with Nike and entering a deal with Swiss sportswear brand On.
bbc.co.uk
'Nightmare' for taxi drivers as fuel prices soar
Volunteer blood bike charity Freewheelers workers said they are also facing tough choices.
bbc.co.uk
Vet prescription fees capped under rule changes
Vets must also tell clients if cheaper medicine is available online as part of the rule updates which surgeries have the coming months to bring in.
theguardian.com
‘What we have is unique’: the Indian craftsmanship behind global luxury fashion
Generations of artisans from Mumbai to Lucknow have shaped the world’s most coveted designs. Plus, the gen Z memes giving classic Bollywood a new lifeThe zardozi embroidery on a Dior dress, the T-strap leather sandals at a Prada show, the mirror-work technique used on a Fendi bag – for decades, the skill of Indian artisans has been an invisible force behind some of the world’s most coveted fashion.Now, that work is beginning to claim its own place in the spotlight, and the Mumbai-based textile and embroidery atelier Chanakya International is at the forefront. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Flixbus left us stranded on the M23 after a police swoop
A 90-minute wait on a motorway hard shoulder was terrifying with lorries thundering pastMy partner and I were among a group of passengers left stranded for 90 minutes on a motorway hard shoulder after our coach driver was arrested for suspected drug driving.We had boarded the Cambridge to Brighton Flixbus service at Gatwick. The coach was an hour late, was visibly damaged on the outside and the driver set off without closing the luggage hatch. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Britain needs cash and everyone knows we should break the pensions triple lock. Where is the courage? | Gaby Hinsliff
The issue cannot be avoided any longer. Andy Burnham and his chancellor must face the fear of a pensioner backlash, and find a fair solutionThere is always something oddly unreal about party conference season. In theory, everyone is getting away from Westminster to better reflect on the state of the nation. In practice, the whole circus just briefly relocates to the coast, to live off warm white wine and gossip for three days, before coming back with a streaming cold. But this year, reality seems more elusive than usual.Everyone knows hard choices loom, but everyone is frightened to make them. Every serious party needs billions of pounds to fund their promises, and everyone knows there’s an obvious place to find the money, but nobody wants to be the first to say so. And so a deferential silence shrouds the pension triple lock, whose future will be vigorously debated on the fringes and in private conversation this autumn, but less so on the stage.Gaby Hinsliff is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The rise of Big Toothbrush: how did our mouths become such a lucrative market?
People in the UK are more interested in oral health than ever - and you can now buy prebiotic toothpastes and brushes that cost up to £600. Yet we remain in the midst of a serious dental crisisA December 1969 report from the consumer magazine Which? explored a relatively new gadget that, it predicted, many people would be giving as Christmas presents: the electric toothbrush. For those who hadn’t yet seen one, the magazine described it as “not that much different in principle from an ordinary brush – you have a stick with a brush on the end. The difference is that an electric one moves the brush head for you”. Progress indeed.Nearly six decades on, electric toothbrushes can do a lot more than merely jiggle, offering multiple speeds and movement sensors for real-time tracking of where you’ve brushed – some even promise gum-massage or tongue-cleaning modes. Prices range from about £25 for a basic Oral B model to £599.99 for a Philips Sonicare model that gives “smart coverage feedback”. The latest super-toothbrush – a mere £419.99 – features a camera and a built-in water jet to clean between teeth, using AI to identify gaps. Created by Dyson, it’s still, essentially, a stick with a brush on the end (although there is another toothbrush on the market that’s shaped like a mouthguard, with individual brushes, that claims to clean your teeth in 20 seconds). Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Canadian province sues OpenAI over Tumbler Ridge school shooting
British Columbia has accused the company of failing to report the shooter's troubling interactions with ChatGPT to law enforcement.
bbc.co.uk
Flights at major US airports delayed after cable cut by construction workers
The cable had been repaired and airports are resuming normal operations, the US transportation secretary says.
cnbc.com
Jamie Dimon says hyperscaler AI spending could hit $1 trillion next year
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says AI spending across the hyperscaler ecosystem could reach $1 trillion next year as investment continues to surge.
bbc.co.uk
I'd rather pay thousands on a holiday: Meet the pensioners spending the kids' inheritance
The phenomenon sees retirees spend all their money on enjoying life to the full.
cnbc.com
Trump, Xi seek trade stability and deals, but AI, tariffs and Iran loom large. What to watch
Trump, facing low approval on the economy ahead of the midterm election, has an added incentive to emerge from the summit with China's Xi touting trade wins.
bbc.co.uk
Airlines criticise air traffic control as second glitch causes more disruption
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said further issues "cause even greater concern" about the UK's air traffic control and the head of the organisation that runs it.
bbc.co.uk
Repeated air traffic control failures leave us in worrying territory
The question is whether all of these incidents were isolated and unavoidable, or whether they point to something more systemic.
theguardian.com
‘Half my day’s pay goes to filling up my car now’: diesel crisis ripples across Britain
Small traders and drivers bear the brunt of a refining shortage taking forecourt prices towards £2 a litre as wars wipe out about a fifth of global suppliesThe smoke rising from the Kapotnya oil refinery to the south-east of Moscow marks one of Ukraine’s biggest air raids on the Russian capital since the start of the war, and the latest salvo in an energy crisis that threatens to affect households and businesses across the globe.More than 1,500 miles away, British motorists are braced for the ripple effect from that conflict, and the US-Israel war on Iran. Average UK diesel prices are expected to reach record highs within days – while across Europe and the US, pump prices have already surpassed all-time highs. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Don’t spend $20 on an acai bowl’: gen Z are shunning private equity’s restaurant takeover
As more PE firms invest in food establishments, people are bemoaning the ‘same-ification’ of NYC’s restaurant sceneLos Tacos No 1 is a classic New York success story. After the Mexican-style taco joint opened in 2013, it quickly became a critic’s pick in the city’s paper of record, drawing long lines and a devoted lunchtime crowd. As word spread about its juicy al pastor and handmade tortillas, it expanded to nine locations. Then, this September, bad news struck: Los Tacos No 1 had received an undisclosed amount of funding from private equity firm TSG Consumer.According to a press release, this cash would help Los Tacos pursue “thoughtful, founder-led growth”. Customers were not so sure. Social media posts quickly declared “the beginning of the end” for the chain, half-jokingly anticipating tiny portions of bad food. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Tories pledge to bring back tax-free shopping for tourists
The party says scrapping the scheme in 2021 left the UK less competitive than European destinations.
bbc.co.uk
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Flights are affected again owing to air traffic control problems, so what are your rights if you're affected?
bbc.co.uk
Will you get £13,000 a year when you stop working? Here's how to check
How to find out how much state pension you're likely to receive - and what you can do about it now.
theguardian.com
‘RAMageddon’: tech crunch hikes the price of your next iPhone by £100
Shortage of memory chips and other critical components reverses trend of electronics becoming cheaperApple’s recent product launch caused headlines around the world as it unveiled its first folding phone. But hidden in the slick technology showcase was a nasty surprise: a £100 increase in the price of all iPhones, including older models.It is blamed on “RAMageddon”, which has reversed a decades-long trend of electronics becoming cheaper. It is the fallout from the AI gold rush hoovering up every memory chip available for vast datacentres. This has led to a severe shortage of the chips, and other critical components, for electronics, including phones. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
US and China discuss AI safety plan ahead of Trump-Xi summit
Top US and Chinese officials held talks in New York on Sunday ahead of a Trump-Xi summit this week.
theguardian.com
How Saudi oil scientists ended up working on the world’s most important climate reports
Guardian investigation reveals fossil fuel links of IPCC authors, with experts declaring the body’s conflict of interest policy ‘not fit for purpose’On her first day as an expert author on the world’s most important climate reports, Prof Julia Steinberger knew nobody else, so she sat down at a stranger’s table for breakfast.“Hi, I’m Julia. I’m from the University of Lausanne,” she said. The man across the table replied: “I’m Mustafa Babiker. I work with Saudi Aramco.” Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
UK should 'team up' with Canada in new Europe alliance, Canadian minister tells BBC
It comes after European Commission President proposed "opening the door" for Canada to become an associate member of the EU.
theguardian.com
‘It’s unrecognisable’: How being a tax haven has changed Jersey
While global billionaires and multinational companies have been lured to its shores, many islanders feel left behind and priced out, with food bank use increasingOn a late Friday afternoon on the Channel Island of Jersey, tourists and locals are flocking to St Helier’s waterfront where the town’s sprawling beach has emerged at low tide.In one direction, they face the calm waters of St Aubin’s Bay, ringed by a seaside promenade and punctuated with a tidal island hosting the 16th century Elizabeth Castle. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Ed Davey calls for immediate 10p cut to fuel duty
Sir Ed blamed Donald Trump's war with Iran for damaging the UK economy and pushing fuel prices up.
bbc.co.uk
Billionaire Man United owner loses moral high ground after tax exile, Labour chair says
The billionaire businessman told the BBC he has lost confidence in the UK due to a combination of high taxes and high immigration.
bbc.co.uk
Dragon Deborah opens with a terrible negotiation tactic
Deborah Meaden makes a bold opening move in response to a pitch.
bbc.co.uk
Former shoplifter ran 'steal-to-order' Whatsapp group
Keeley Knowles ran a Whatsapp group with about 200 people asking her to steal specific designer items.
bbc.co.uk
The virtual worlds where robots are trained
Training systems that allow robots to negotiate the real world are getting more sophisticated.
bbc.co.uk
Would you buy branded clothing from your favourite tech firm?
Nvidia, OpenAI and Anthropic are all now selling their own limited edition fashion lines.
bbc.co.uk
The extreme engineering of aircraft windows
Few companies have the technology to make aircraft windows which are getting harder to make.
bbc.co.uk
Can Europe recharge its battery industry?
Europe has some promising battery tech, but can it make up ground lost to Chinese battery giants?
bbc.co.uk
I asked my husband to pay into my pension when we had a child - here's why
Molly and Taylor Haylett explain the changes to how they managed their finances when they started a family.
bbc.co.uk
Why some experts increasingly fear AI will take over
AI agents went on an uncontrolled hacking spree, leaving some in the industry worried
bbc.co.uk
Should promotion depend on how workers use AI?
More companies are tying career progression to AI use: is that fair?
bbc.co.uk
'Tirana teeth': Albania hopes to be the new Turkey for dental work
The Balkan nation is aiming to become a new centre for medical tourism.
bbc.co.uk
Aviation faces hotter, stormier skies – and passengers might have to accept more disruption
Are people going to have to increasingly accept more delays and diversions as the effects of climate change intensify?
bbc.co.uk
Prosecco, cakes and beauty products - how to get birthday freebies and why there's a catch
Cake, coffee, make-up and burgers are just some of the free things you can get on your birthday.
bbc.co.uk
From 'dog fruit' to darling: India's avocado boom
Demand for avocados is booming in India and local growers hope to grab more of the market.
bbc.co.uk
Why wait? Business grads buying firms to install themselves as CEO
Impatient to be the boss of an established company they are borrowing money to fund their purchases.
bbc.co.uk
'My parents won't lend me £10k but helped my brother': When families play financial favourites
So-called financial favouritism can cause jealousy and resentment long into adulthood. Here is how experts say you can avoid it
bbc.co.uk
Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scooters
Why is it taking so long for the government to regulate them, and what are the consequences of delay?
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
bbc.co.uk
The furious dispute over what caused Air India flight 171 to crash
The final conclusions of the investigation have yet to be published, although more could become apparent in the coming days.
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